Religious Freedom in U.S. Foreign Policy: Getting It Right, Now
08/05/14
Thomas Farr, Michael Kessler
Religion, Foreign Policy, United States, Middle East
A serious investment of America’s diplomatic resources in advancing international religious freedom would be both morally right and strategically sound.
On July 24, Meriam Ibrahim and her family, the targets of barbaric religious persecution by the Sudanese government, were permitted to flee Sudan. On July 28, President Obama nominated Rabbi David Saperstein to be the U.S. ambassador at large for international religious freedom.
Those
two events frame a new opportunity for the United States to mitigate a
dangerously accelerating global crisis in religious persecution by
advancing international religious freedom. A serious investment of
America’s diplomatic resources in this venture would be both morally
right and strategically sound.
In January, Meriam, a pregnant Catholic wife and mother, was arrested for apostasy, imprisoned and sentenced to 100 lashes and death by hanging.
For months, Meriam lay shackled in a Sudanese prison, struggling to
care for the two-year old son imprisoned with her. In May, her legs
still shackled, she gave birth to a baby girl. Throughout this savage
and inhumane travail, Meriam was offered freedom. She was told that if
she renounced her faith and embraced Islam, she and her children would
be free. She refused. Sudan released her and her babies after an
extended international outcry.
Rabbi
Saperstein is a veteran, well-regarded advocate of religious freedom.
He has assured friends that he will act resolutely to address the global
crisis. If he is given the authority, status and resources to succeed,
Saperstein can position American diplomacy to undermine the structures
of persecution that victimized Meriam and grow daily in states around
the world. He can lead a renewed effort by the U.S. government to
advance religious freedom that has a chance at success, not simply
because America desires it, but because it will help societies achieve
their own objectives. Saperstein should be confirmed immediately by the
Senate.
Read full articlehttp://nationalinterest.org/feature/religious-freedom-us-foreign-policy-getting-it-right-now-11015
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